Drum cap and spigot valve assembly



June 24, 1952 J, R, SNYDER 2,601,339

DRUM CAP AND SPIGOT VLVE ASSEMBLY JQ R. SNYDER DRUM CAP AND SPIGOT VALVE ASSEMBLY June 24, 1952 2 SHEETS--SHEET 2 Filed March 1, 1948 Patented June 24, 1952 DRUM CAP AND srIGoT VALVE ASSEMBLY Jacob Rush Snyder, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to Thompson Products, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application March 1, 194s, serial No. 12,402

9 Claims. (Cl. 137-69) This invention relates to a self-closing fassem? blyfor selective drainage of drums, barrels, and the like containers.

Specioally, this invention urelates to a closure valve-equipped assembly for va bung bushing which includes a selectively detachable spigot for automatically opening Athe valve at a rapid rate whenever it is depressed and fior eiecting a quick sealing of the bushing whenever the spigot is released.

According to this invention, a container, such as a drum or barrel, equipped with an internally threaded bung bushing, receives an externally threaded ring with an outturned ange at one end `and a valve seat `at the other end. A springloaded valve is mounted on the ring and coacts with the seat to close the passage through the The outtur'nedilange is adapted to be bottomed on a gasket between the bushing and the ange. This ange has a smaller diameterthan the bushing. The valve can be locked in closed position by a screw which is carried by a recessed cap fitting into the passage of the ring and bottomed on the outer face of the ring. A hermetically sealed outer cap can conveniently overlie the ring and be locked on the beaded lip of the bung bushing. The recessed inner locking cap Will protect the passage-defining wall of the ring when .prying oli the outer cap with a sharp tool or the like. AA sealing ring or gasket conveniently surrounds the narige of the ring to co'a'ct with the cap 'and the bushing for forming the hermetic seal. When the sealing cap and the locking cap are removed, the Valve of the assembly is easily opened by a detachable spigot which slides -in the passage of the ring to `engage the valve. A coil spring carried by the detachable spigot can have the Yfree end 'coil thereof `detachably anchored on the beaded lip of the bushing. The coil spring normally holds the spigot in the .passage 'of the ring. When the spigot is depressed further into the passage, its end lface acts on the valve to swing the valve away from its seat thereby permitting drainage of the contents of the drum or other container through the spigot.

A feature of the invention resides in the detachable spigot for use with any cap assembly of this invention upon inere insertion 'of the end of the spigot into the ring of the assembly and snapping the free end coil of the spr-ing onto the bung bushing.

It is, then, an object of the invention to provide a cap and spigot assembly for containers such as drums, barrels, and the like, wherein a 2 closure valve-equipped ring adapted `to be readily connected to the bung bushing of the container has a drain passage for slidably supporting `a detachable drain Ispigot and wherein the closure valve is quickly manipulated to opened position by sliding the spigot in the passage.

Another object of the invention is to provide a closure cap anddrain spigot `arrangement for the bung bosses of barrels, drums. and other containers wherein a drain ring is "equipped with a spring-loaded closure valve and slidablysupports a hollow spigot for coacting with the valve to selectively open the container for drainage through the spigot. y

A still `further object `o'f the inventionis to provide an end cap assembly for barrels, drums, and the like Whereinthe bung bushing of the assembly carries 4a closure valve-equipped drain ring that does not interfere with the hermetic sealing of the bushing.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device for rapidly withdrawing iiuids from containers such as drums or barrels which will not interfere with `sealing oi' the container when in transit or storage regardless of temperature changes and rough handling conditions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spigot stabilizer in the forni 'of a spring which, when depressed, will permit the spigot to open a drain valve, and, when unloaded, will hold the spigot in assembled relation in a drain ring.

IOther and further objects of the invention Will be apparent to those skilled in the `art from the following detailed description `of the annexed sheets of drawings, which, by way of a lpreferred example only, illustrate one embodiment of the invention.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the end head of a metal drum equipped with a cap assembly according to this invention 'and illustrating the condition of the assembly when hermetically sealed and locked as in transit or storage. l l n I Figure 2 is a view similar to Figr 1 but illustrating the condition of the cap assembly for receiving a drain spigot to selectively open the drum.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but illustrating the drain spigot in `position.

Figure '4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but illus'- trating the depressedposition of the drain, spigot and the opened position of the closure valve.`

Figure 5 isa front end` elevational view oi the assembly of Figures 3 and 4.

Figure 6 is an end elevational view of the inner end of the assembly and showing the closure valve and valve mounting arrangement.

As shown on the drawings:

In Figures 1 to 4 inclusive the reference numeral I designates generally a steel drum of the type including a cylindrical side wall or shell II receiving an end head I2 in one end thereof. The end head I2 has an outturned peripheral ilange or skirt I2a welded orn otherwise secured to the shell. The drum end head I2 is therefore inwardly from the end of the drum and a recess I3 is provided on the end of the drum.

The drum head I2 has an opening I4 therein and a bung bushing I5 is attached to the end head I2 around this opening I4. The bung bushing I5 has internal threads I5a and an external cylindrical neck I5b terminating in a bead I5c. The mouth of the bushing is chamfered or beveled at I5d so that the threads I5a do not extend to the end of the bushing.

A metal ring I6 has external threads I6a in threaded engagement with the threads I5a of the bushing I5. An outturned flange I6b on the ring I6 overlies the beveled mouth lid of the bushing and coacts with a sealing gasket I'I to compress the gasket into sealing relationship between the bushing and ring. The periphery of this flange I6b terminates radially inward from the periphery of the beaded end I5c of the bushing, so that a sealing gasket I8 can be bottomed on the bushing I5 around the ange of the ring.

The ring I6 has a. central passage I6c therethrough with a seating face I6d surrounding the inner end of this passage. This seating face |611 is preferably rounded as shown.

As best shown in Figure 6, a pair of lugs IGe project from the inner face of the ring I6 in spaced opposed relation to receive the ends of a pin I9.

A closure valve 20, in the form of a metal disk, is provided for coacting with the seat I6d to close theV drain passage I6c of the ring I6. This valve 20 has a pair of ears or lugs 20a thereon receiving the pin I9 therethrough for swingably mounting the valve on the ring.

As shown in Figures l to 3, the valve 20 has a shoulder 20h receiving a sealing ring 2I thereon. This ring is preferably composed of resilient material, such as rubber, rubber substitutes, or the like, and coacts with the seat I6d of the ring I6 to seal the passageway I6c.

In the closed position of the valve 20, with the ring 2I seated on the seat I6d, a front face 20c is disposed in the passageway I6c. This front face is tapered so that the portion most remote from the supporting pin I9 projects farther into the passage than the portion adjacent the pin, for a purpose to be more fully hereinafter described. The central part of the face 20c has an upstanding internally threaded boss 20d thereon.

The back face of the valve 20 has a central lug 20e thereon straddled by a bifurcated spring nger 22a of a torsion spring 22 having coils 22h disposed around the pin I9 and free ends 22e bottomed on the inner face of the ring I6. This torsion spring 22 urges the valve 20 to the closed position of Figures 1 to 3.

The torsion spring 22 loads the valve 20 suiil ciently to maintain a good sealing engagement between the ring 2| and the seat I6d. However, as a precautionary safety first feature of this invention, the valve 20 canfbe locked in sealed position during transit or storage of the drum I0 thereby defeating any possibility of rough handling, differential pressure conditions inside and outside of the drum, and the like extreme conditions from affecting the seals. This lock is produced by means of an inexpensive stamped metal cap 23 and a screw 24 shown in Figure l. Both of these members can be discarded after the drum is opened. The cap 23 has a side wall 23a; fitting into the passage I6c of the ring I6 together with an outturned ange 23h overlying the outer end face of the ring adjacent the passage. The main depressed wall 23o of the cap 23 spans the passage I6c and is apertured to receive the screw 24. The screw 24 is threaded intothe boss 20d of the valve 20 and, when tightened, will lock the ring 2l against its seat ISd.

A sealing cap 25, shown in Figure 1, overlies the cap 23, ring I6, gasket I8, and surrounds the neck I5b of the bushing I5 to be retained on the bushing by the bead I5c. The cap 25 coacts with the gasket I8 to form a hermetic seal for the assembly.

The ring I6 has a pair of wrench-receiving recesses I6f in its outer face separated by lugs I6g as best shown in Figure 5. These recesses are adapted to receive a Spanner wrench which will engage the lugs |69 to tighten the ring in the bushing I5. The recesses are also protected by the cap 25. Y

When it is desired to open up the sealed drum shown in Figure l, the cap 25 is pried off of the assembly while the inner locking cap 23 protects the wall of the passage I6c -against damage by the prying tool. This wall of the passage I6c should be free from scratches, nicks, and the like rough surfaces which might damage or interfere with the sealing eficiency of the hereinafter described seal ring on the spigot. When the cap 25 is removed, the screw 24 in the cap 23 is removed from the valve 20 and the cap 23. The cap 25, the screw 24, and the cap 23 can then be discarded, because the valve 20 will maintain the drum in closed condition. The beveled end I5d of the bushing I5 and the inserted sealing ring or gasket II will protect the threads I5a and I6a against damage by any tool used in prying the cap oi of the assembly. It will be noted that the entire assembly including the cap 25 lies entirely within the recess I3 in the end head of the drum, so that the drum can stand upright or be stacked with other similar drums without damaging the assembly. After removal of the caps 23 and 25, the passage I6c of the ring I6 is accessible and `the beveled inner face 20c or the valve 20 blocks the inner end of this passage.

As shown in Figure 3, a drain spigot assembly 26 is provided for opening the valve 20 and for controlling drainage out of the drum. This spigot assembly includes a die-cast body 21, a conica1 type coil spring 28, and an 0 ring seal 29. The body 21 has an end 21a sized for fitting in the passage I 6c. A groove 30 is provided in this end 21a to receive the O ring 29. As is conventional, the groove 30 is wider than the O ring 29. The end face 21h of the portion 21a is adapted to engage the tapered face 20c of the valve 20. Initial contact between this end face 21a and the valve face 20c is established, as shown in Figure 3, at the point of the face 20c which pro- `jects the greatest distance into the passage I6 and, as explained above, is remote from the pivotsupporting pin I 9. A shoulder 210 is provided at the end of the portion 21a to be bottomed on the ring I6 for limiting the extent of insertion of the portion 21a into the passage I 6c. As

illustrated; in. Egure 4;. when.` this'4 shoulder con-f.` tacts the ring' |36; the. fate` 2lb. engages. the :faceA 2te of" the. valve. 202 adjacent` the pivot: support for the; valve;` thereby increasingthe speed.` of'V opening of the valve: Thus, the initial contact.. being at: the point` mostremote` from the pivot support'4 I.9, isI effectiveyto. obtain the most leverage on the valve for cracking it oilf ofits seat, and continued opening-movement ofthe valve` is` then effected: byshiiting` the contact between.` the valve and spigot closer to the pivotal support for the valve thus. decreasing the. leverage but increasing the speedof ope-ning ofi the valve. Thisarrange ment makes possibl'ea full desired opening'of the valve Withoutu requiring a long stroke for the spigot.

The body' 2'lofthe spigot assembly 2131 has an angled passage 21d* extending outwardly from the end face 2"Ib= through a downwardly extending discharge spout portion 21e; A convenient operating handle 213# isprovided above the spout 221e;

The bodyY 21 has a recess 21g-therearound between the shoulder- 210- and the handle 2-1ff for receiving the small end coil 23ay of, the conical' springv 28; The large end coil' 28h ofl this spring` 28 is disposed around the neck |-5b of the bushing I5 andV is retained thereon by the bead c. This coil spring, with the end coils seated in the recess 21g and behind the bead |50 will hold the spigot as shown in Figure 3 with the end 21a in the passage I6 but with the valve 2-0 in fully closed position. The spring will resist movement of the spigot out of the passage Hic because tensioning forces will be necessary to expand the spring beyond the freeheight thereof shown in Figure. 3.

When the spigot is depressed further into the ring from the position shown in Figure 3 to the position shown inl Figure 4, the spring 28 is compressed and the torsion springV 22 acting on the l valve is tightened. These twosprings thereupon cooperate to return the spigot back to the position of Figure 3 while, of course, the spring 22 returns the valve from its opened to its closed position.

The spigot is quickly assembled and disassembled in the ring I6 by mere insertion of the end 21a into the ring passage Ic and by snapping the end coil 28h of the spring 28 over the bead 15o.

From the above descriptions it will be understood that this invention provides a self-closing cap assembly for drums, barrels, and other containers that is adapted to be readily inserted in a drum or barrel bushing and can either be locked in position for storage and shipping, or can selectively receive a demountable spigot for draining the contents of the container.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention and it is, therefore, not the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A cap and spigot assembly for a container having a depressed end head carrying a bung bushing which comprises a ring adapted to be sealingly seated in said bung bushing, a valve pivotally mounted on the inner face of said ring, a spring urging said valve against said end face of the ring to close the passage through the ring, a cap member spanning the outer portion of said passage through the ring, a screw carried by said cap acting on said valve to draw the valve toward the cap for locking the valve on the ring, and a sealing cantory the entir :Tassemblxnlooked onthe bung bushing; said; entire. assembly; terminating within therecess afforded by..` the depressed end head 2. A drum cap and' spigot assembly for bung bushing-equipped containersv which` comprises a ring adapted to^ be secured in a bung bushing, lugs on the inner face or said ring. a disk valve coactingwith the inner face' of saidA ring'to close thepassage through thering, ears` on said disk valve, a pin carried by said lugs and extending through said' ears for pivotall'y supporting the diskv valve on the ring,` a torsion spring having coils around saidpin and a finger acting on the inner face or said valve to urge the valve against the ring, a hollowdrain spigot having an end slidably mountedin said ring, a seal ring carried byfsai-d spigot engaging said' ring to seal thespigot end inthe ring, a shoulder onsaid spigot adapted to enga-ge the outer face of said ring for limiting the amountr ofl insertion o f' the spring' into the ring, and an end abutment face on said spigot for coacting with the outer face of said valve to swingV the valve into opened position, said abutment face of the spigot and saidv outerV face of the valve beingconstructed and arranged to establish initial contact between the valve and spigot at a point remote from the pivot pin and to transfer the poi-ritv of initial contactk to `a point adjacent the pivot. p inasthe spigot is moved into the ring thereby effecting cracking of the valve on"` its seatV under maximum leverage conditions followed by decreased, leverage conditions which increase the degree or' opening of the valve in relation to the degree of shifting or the spigot.

A, drum cap and drain spigot assembly for bung bushing-eduippedv containers which comprises a drain ring adapted to be sealingly' enrgaged in the bung bushing, a spring loaded valve pivotally mounted on the. inner face of said ring for closing the passage through the ring, a hollow spigot slidably mounted in the ring,` a coil spring carried by the spigot having an end coil adapted to be mounted on the bung bushing, said spring holding said spigot in the ring in a position permitting closure of the valve but accommodating shifting of the spigot into the ring.r for opening the valve. and said spigot and valve having abutment faces constructed and arranged to contact at diierent portions thereof as the spigot is depressed into the ring for changing the leverage applied to the valve during the course of opening the valve.

4. A cap and spigot assembly for an internally threaded bung bushing which comprises an externally threaded ring adapted to be threaded into the bushing and forming a now passage through said bushing, said ring having an external ange at one end and a valve seat at the other end, a disk valve pivoted on the ring, a torsion spring normally urging said valve against said seat to close said ow passage, said flange terminating inwardly from the periphery of the bung bushing and adapted to be bottomed on the bung bushing, a removable cap spanning the outer end of said now passage and a screw carried by said cap threadedly engageable with said valve to pivotally draw said valve toward the cap for locking said valve in closed position.

5. A cap and spigot assembly comprising a ring adapted to be mounted in the drain port of a container and forming a, flow passage through the drain port, a normally closed valve seated on the inner face of said ring to control the flow of fluid through said flow passage. a spigot slidably inserted for adjusted axial movement in said flow passage, and a resilient spring connected to said spigot normally urging said spigot to a predetermined axial position out of engagement with said valve, said spigot being axially adjustable in said flow passage against the bias of said resilient spring to selectively engage and open said Valve.

6. A cap and spigot assembly for a container of the type having a bung bushing, comprising, a ring adapted to be mounted in the bung bushing and forming a flow passage therethrough, a normally closed valve seated on the inner face of said ring to control the 110W of uid through said llow passage, a spigot slidably inserted for axially adjusted movement in said passage, a resilient spring connected to said spigot normally urging said spigot to a predetermined axial position in said ow passage, sealing means between said spigot and said ring to seal said spigot in said flow passage whenever said valve is open, said spigot being axially adjustable in said now passage against the bias of said spring to engage and selectively open said valve.

7, A cap and spigot assembly for a container of the type having a bung bushing therein comprising a ring adapted to be mounted in the bung bushing and forming a 110W passage therethrough, a valve seated on the inner face of said ring to control the iiow of fluid through said passage, spring means normally biasing said valve into closed position, a spigot slidably inserted for axially adjusted movement in said flow passage, and a resilient spring connected to said spigot normally urging said spigot to a predetermined axial position out of engagement with said valve, said spigot being axially adjustable in said flow passage against the bias of said spring to engage and selectively open said valve against the bias of said spring means.

8. A drum cap and spigot assembly for bungequipped containers which comprises a. ring adapted to be mounted in the bung bushing of a container and forming a flow passage through said bung bushing, said ring having parallel at opposed faces, the innermost face of said ring forming a valve seat and the outermost face of said ring comprising an outturned ange adapted to lie ush against the bung bushing, a disk valve pivotally mounted on the inner face of said ring, a torsion spring normally urging said disk Valve against said seat to close said ilow passage, a hollow spigot slidably inserted into said flow passage, a seal ring carried by said spigot and engageable with said ring, and a spring connected to said spigot normally positioning said spigot at a predetermined axial position in said ilow passage, said spigot being axially positionable in said flow passage against the bias of said spring to selectively open said valve.

9. In a cap and spigot assembly, a ring adapted to be mounted in the bung of a container and having a flow passage therethrough, a valve mounted on said ring and being seated on one end of said ring to selectively close said flow passage, a removable cap member spanning the other end of said ring, and a fastener carried by said cap member and engageable with said valve to draw said Valve and said cap member into locked-together assembly with said ring.

JACOB RUSH SNYDER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record inthe file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,334,819 Thorpe Mar. 23, 1920 1,663,952 Peaden Mar. 27, 1928 2,267,754 Schroeder Dec. 30, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Courtry Date 19,500 Great Britain Sept. 3, 1896 438,467 Great Britain Nov. 18, 1935 562,778 France Sept. 14, 1923 

